Pay Bonus for Omaha City Workers Announced by Mayor | Regional government

While the primary use of American Rescue Plan Act funds is for local governments to replace lost revenue through 2023, Stothert said, the money can also be used to support community programs, respond to impacts of the pandemic and promote economic recovery.

Stothert said on Tuesday that $9 million would go to premium pay for city employees — police, firefighters and civilians.

Full-time employees would receive $3,000, payable over multiple pay periods beginning in late July. Elected officials, including the mayor and members of the city council, are not eligible. The city has 2,700 full-time employees, Stothert said.

The bounty application was submitted to the city by the Omaha Police Officers Association, Stothert said.

Officials felt strongly, Stothert said, that premium pay could not be offered to a select group of city employees and not all. Even though police, firefighters and civilian employees played different roles during the pandemic, they all came to work and were at risk of exposure to the virus, she said.